UN TO OBSERVE 1999 AS INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF OLDER PERSONS

Press Release
SOC/4473

UN TO OBSERVE 1999 AS INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF OLDER PERSONS

Dramatic increases in longevity have caused global life expectancy to climb 20 years since 1950, to its current level of 66 years, according to the United Nations. Since 1950, the proportion of the world's population over 60 years old has changed from one in 13 to one in 10 -- with the population of some developing countries ageing at a more rapid rate than developed countries. Striking differences exist between regions with, for example, one of five Europeans being 60 years or older, as compared to one of 20 Africans.

According to the United Nations Population Division, which defines older persons as those 60 years and older:

-- One of every 10 persons is now 60 years or older. By the year 2050, one of five will be 60 years or older; by 2150, it will be one of three persons.

-- The older population is becoming increasingly urban. By the year 2000, the majority of the world's older population, or 51 per cent, will live in urban areas.

-- The older population itself is ageing. Currently, persons 80 years and older constitute 11 per cent of the population aged 60 and above. By 2050, 27 per cent of the older population will be over 80 years old.

-- The majority of older persons, 55 per cent, are women. Among those who are 80 years or older, 65 per cent are women.

The impact of the world's ageing population growth on socio-economic policies and the culture of societies is already presenting problems to governments. To help meet the challenge, the United Nations General Assembly decided in 1992 to observe the International Year of Older Persons in 1999. The objective of the Year is to raise awareness of the fast-changing demographic picture of older persons globally, to stimulate debate, promote action strategies, and encourage research and information exchange. The situation of older persons and its impact on a country's resources call for immediate study and solutions.

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The Year's theme "towards a society for all ages" invites the participation of all generations, all sectors of society and organizations. It also promotes collaboration among the many actors, both traditional and non-traditional. Non-traditional actors -- mainly the private sector, the media, youth organizations and academia -- are beginning to include older persons in their programmes. Many governments and local authorities, as well as intergovernmental and major non-governmental organizations, have already appointed focal points or committees for the Year.

Impact of Changes

With fertility rates declining in some countries, other types of problems have arisen. For instance, the International Longevity Centre has found that European countries, which have the lowest birth rates, are searching for ways to keep older workers in the labour force longer because fewer young people are entering the workplace.

The declining number of care-givers, especially since more women -- the traditional care-givers -- are now entering the workplace, has created problems worldwide. Income security for older populations is another major concern, especially in traditional societies where the family and the community once provided care and support. Such support systems are being eroded by urbanization, migration, instability and armed conflict.

United Nations Action for Older Persons

The question of ageing was first debated at the United Nations at the initiative of Argentina in 1948. The issue was again raised by Malta in 1969. In recognizing that longevity was becoming one of the major challenges of the twentieth century, the United Nations convened the World Assembly on Ageing in Vienna, Austria, in 1982. That same year, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the International Plan of Action on Ageing , which discusses the broad implications of ageing for individual life and for societies. It sets forth 62 recommendations for action dealing with the situation of older persons.

In 1990, the General Assembly designated 1 October as the International Day for the Elderly, later renamed the International Day of Older Persons, which was celebrated for the first time the following year. The Day has become an annual event in most countries, with varied activities organized in conjunction with the official commemoration.

The General Assembly adopted the United Nations Principles for Older Persons in 1991. The 18 Principles provide a broad framework for action on ageing. They are organized into five clusters: independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment and dignity of older persons.

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In 1992, the General Assembly adopted the Proclamation on Ageing, an outline for practical action to be taken at the global level in support of regional, national and local activities. The Proclamation urges partnerships among the many concerned actors in society -- including governments, non-governmental organizations, academia and the private sector -- to ensure that the needs of ageing populations are adequately addressed. The Proclamation also called for the observance of the year 1999 as the International Year of Older Persons.

Activities to mark the Year will be guided by the United Nations operational framework, which is designed to facilitate mainstreaming older persons' concerns and encourage activities within a long-term perspective. It calls for raising awareness, focusing on all ages, in order to promote active ageing, develop appropriate care-giving strategies, address the situation of older women, prepare youth for the future and promote good early childhood development. It encourages looking ahead, beyond 1999, and identifying long-term priorities in view of projections indicating that, in the year 2150, every third person will be over 60. It also reaches out to non-traditional actors such as the development community, the media, the private sector and youth, and calls for networking in research and information exchange. The development community, through aid donors and recipient countries, is urged to include older persons in their programmes. The press and media are urged to play a central role in the creation of awareness of population ageing. The private sector is encouraged to support broad and practical partnerships with the United Nations system. Youth are seen as an important target group in preparing for the later stages of life and in encouraging the old and young generations to cooperate in creating a balance between tradition and innovation in economic, social and cultural development.

International Year of Older Persons 1999

Special events around the world will mark the International Day of Older Persons on 1 October. On that day the United Nations Secretary-General will launch the International Year of Older Persons 1999 at an all-day event at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

For further substantive information, please contact: Alexandre Sidorenko, Focal Point for Ageing, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Two United Nations Plaza, Room DC2-1302, New York, NY 10017;Tel: (212) 963-0500 or Fax: (212) 963-3062; E-mail: sidorenko@un.org

For general information, contact: Shala Mokgethi, Information Officer, Development and Human Rights Section, Department of Public Information, United Nations, New York, NY 10017; Tel: (212) 963-8104 or Fax: (212) 963-1186; e-mail: vasic@un.org

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